Releasing locks from the retainer/valves - any suggestions

shoedoos · Post by **shoedoos** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:14 pm

They're stuck solid, I've given the retainer a tap with a mallet but they still won't budge....any suggestions will be welcomed....

Post by **jmarkaudio** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:33 pm

Soak with WD? I would inspect carefully before reusing...

blykins · Post by **blykins** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:40 pm

Did you put a spring compressor on it?

shoedoos · Post by **shoedoos** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:41 pm

will try that.....and will inspect....just got to get them off first....

shoedoos · Post by **shoedoos** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:42 pm

I have a bench mount compressor with a three foot arm and they still won't budge....now you know why I'm asking for tips.....

shoedoos · Post by **shoedoos** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:58 pm

I take it there is no "trick" to releasing the locks? Just some WD40, more tapping on the retainer and a bunch of brute force....?

blykins · Post by **blykins** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:02 pm

I've never heard of any that were that hard to get off.

I usually give them a tap with a dead blow, then put a spring compressor on them.

I can't imagine what would be keeping them on.

SWR · Post by **SWR** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:03 pm

Are you tapping it while compressing it?

69-CHVL · Post by **69-CHVL** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:03 pm

I just went through this.

I soft mallet doesnt seem to always work. I use a steel hammer and "shock" it loose. Gently hitting of course, you can here the tone change when it breaks free. I smacked valve/retainers HARD with a rubber mallet - nothing hanppened. Steel hammer worked with the gentle taps.

shoedoos · Post by **shoedoos** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:11 pm

I hadn't been tapping while compressed but will give it a try.....and I'll use a steel hammer as well.....they're in there nice and tight....

cmw · Post by **cmw** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:33 pm

Micro Welding Retainers is command
The best way to release the valve retainer and keepers is to use a long C-clamp, you need to make a piece to hold the retainer have it slotted and welded on the c-clamp with a handel and screw it down, or put it back on the block and set the piston on TDC and use a strong spring removal tool with a breaker bar.
This problem is commond in Drag racing and NASCAR racing. I have a spring and retainer oil that I design for the Cup and Bush engine builders. The first team to use my oils and is still using my oils is Carl Wegner of Wegner Automotive and has been using the asssembly oils for over 4 years.

SWR · Post by **SWR** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:50 pm

shoedoos wrote:I hadn't been tapping while compressed but will give it a try.....and I'll use a steel hammer as well.....they're in there nice and tight....

Just put as much tension on it as you can,leave it there and tap it hard at a 45º angle to the valvestem.

Scott Norris · Post by **Scott Norris** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:50 pm

Depending on the spring rate I just put a socket on there and smack the socket with a hammer.

Tod74 · Post by **Tod74** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 5:19 pm

shoedoos wrote:I hadn't been tapping while compressed but will give it a try.....and I'll use a steel hammer as well.....they're in there nice and tight....

you should never hit anything hardened with a steel hyammer..use a copper hammer

needforspeed66gt · Post by **needforspeed66gt** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 6:10 pm

you mean a brass hammer right